Recovering From Foot Surgery

Many patients require surgery for common conditions such as bunions, hammertoes, Metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint dislocation, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendon ruptures or tears, or Morton’s neuroma. Dr. Jimmy Gregory is a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon who provides expert and comprehensive foot surgery in Atlanta, and Decatur, GA. Following your foot surgery, there is a period of recovery that will require rest and a slow return to previous activity levels. The recovery time from foot surgery depends upon the complexity of the surgery, your overall health and age, and your adherence to the doctor’s instructions.

Recovering From Foot Surgery

There are important steps you can take to ensure that your recovery is successful.

• Ask for help from your friends and loved ones. You will need someone to drive you home from the surgery, and to do errands and tasks such as grocery shopping that you will be unable to engage in.
• Create a hospitable home environment. Remove clutter, create a comfortable sleeping and relaxation area, and install non-skid mats and grab bars prior to surgery to allow safe mobility around the home. 
• Acquire the recommended assistive devices such as crutches or a walker, and make sure there is room in the home to navigate with these devices.   
• Prepare your home so that you can easily work (if necessary) and entertain yourself. Have a laptop on an adjustable stand that you can utilize while keeping your leg elevated. Keep books readily available, as well as an extension cord for charging your devices.
• Stock up on bandages, and keep your healing foot clean and dry. Follow the doctor’s recommendations for how and when to shower.
• Examine the incision frequently and look for signs of infection, which can include pain, warmth, swelling, and fever. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any indicators of infection.

If you are receiving foot surgery in Atlanta, and Decatur, GA, Dr. Gregory will provide an extensive list of instructions to ensure healing. Patients recovering from foot surgery should eat healthy, nutritious foods, avoid smoking, which can affect postoperative recovery, and take all prescribed medications. Dr. Gregory will also provide medical documentation should you need to take a leave of absence from work, and potentially recommend rehabilitation to help recondition your joints and muscles.

Contact Us Today

Dr. Gregory provides expert foot surgery in Atlanta, or Decatur, GA. He is a Fellow at the American College Foot and Ankle Surgeons and maintains two offices to better serve the Atlanta area. Dr. Gregory is a member of Emory Healthcare Network and Emory University Hospital Midtown. Contact Dr. Emery in Decatur (404) 284-7744 or Atlanta (404) 755-2291.